Jo Ann Grossman passed away Thursday morning, December 9 at her residence in Houston, Texas. She was born August 8, 1948 to Harold & Bertie Jo Priddy of Ralls, where she spent her childhood. She graduated high school from the Anne Carlsen Center in Jamestown, North Dakota, an internationally recognized facility dedicated to educating physically challenged children and youth. She attended West Texas State University and graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1974.

After working for Yellow Cab in Houston, Jo Ann became an advocate for developmentally challenged individuals. She invested her time in many local and national programs for the disabled, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Prosumers, and the Special Olympics. She lobbied extensively for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act and spearheaded programs in the Houston area which would offer price reductions in local restaurants for the disabled. She participated in several track and field competitions for the disabled and carried the Olympic torch in 2001.

Throughout her life Jo Ann fought courageously to maintain her independence, refusing to be defined by her own physical limitations. She ran the race with all her heart.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Bertie Jo Priddy. She is survived by her brother John Priddy, his wife Jean and their daughter Gillian as well as her aunts, Betty Mallay and Clara Pile and cousins Fred Chauncey, Wally Mallay, J.B. Mallay, Michael Mallay, Tracy Edwards, Cindy Pile and Stephanie Pile.

A service of interment will be held at the cemetery in Ralls, Texas on Wednesday afternoon, December 23 at 2:00 pm. The family suggests memorials be directed toward the Anne Carlsen Center, 701 3rd St NW, Jamestown, ND 58401.